GAmE

Full PPAPER
Saturday, nov. 6 IINsIDE
vS. weber State

DAy
WEBER sTATE AT NO. 12 mONTANA sTATE, BOBCAT sTADIum 12:05 P.m.

INsIDE
REVENGE FACTOR
n Weber’s Bolen
came up short last
time vs. Bobcats I 2

pHoToS By SEAN SpERRy/CHRoNICLE

MSU’s Michael Rider, right, picks up a Portland State fumble for a turnover at Portland, Ore., in 2009.

SOUL RIDER
Aleksei Grosulak, left,
celebrates his intercep-
tion with teammate
Michael Rider.

Bobcat senior captain has poured WHICH ‘CATs?

everything he has into football n The Chronicle’s
Will Holden handicaps
By WILL C. HOLDEN today’s matchup I 6
Chronicle Sports Writer

There may not be a more recognizable Bobcat than

Mike Rider.
But there was at least one young Montana CAN’T KEEP
State fan who had trouble identifying him, and OGDEN DOWN
the youngster managed to find his way to
Bobcat Stadium to watch the team host it’s n MSU senior always
first-ever 7-on-7 passing tournament last
summer for high schoolers. comes back from
Rider was the only Bobcat who had injury I 2
given up his day to assist with the
event. He patrolled the field refer-
eeing, his shoulder-length hair
spilling down his neck out from
under a backwards hat.
The youngster squinted.
“Who’s that girly-looking
guy?” he asked.
His friend was appalled.
“That’s Mikey Rider,
idiot,” he responded
after delivering a healthy
shove. “And he would
destroy you.”
Hearing the story
months later, Rider BuTTE BEsTED?
doesn’t seem too n Hawks open Class AA
surprised. Wearing a
headband that looks like football playoffs at
it’s straight out of a Claire’s
catalog, he says his hair isn’t his home I PaGe b1
only feminine characteristic.
“I can cry at the drop of
a hat,” he admits. “I got it
from my dad, who got it Printed on recycled PaPer
from his dad.”

More rIDEr I 5

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6 | bozeman daily chronicle Saturday, November 6, 2010

BOBCAT GAME DAY
Weber State at Montana State
12:05 p.m. Bobcat Stadium

The Edge Montana State

Depth charts
Weber State
Weber State at Montana State Offense Defense
LEFT TACKLE RIGHT END
When Montana State has the ball 72 Mike Person 6-5/295 Sr 47 Gabe Bowers 6-3/260 Jr
70 Killian Fitzpatrick 6-8/270 Fr 90 Pete Rolf 6-4/260 Jr
Passing: If two 400-yard passing games EDGE pass rush. If you throw out their six-sack
LEFT GUARD NOSE TACKLE
don’t convince you that Denarius McGhee game against Idaho State, which might
is back from his dreadful performance have one of the worst offensive lines in 68 Conrad Burbank 6-4/280 Jr 99 A. Sagapolutele-White 5-11/285 So
against Northern Arizona, nothing will. conference history, WSU has six sacks in 57 Casey Dennehy 6-1/270 So 96 Veteson Sauni 6-0/280 Fr
The Bobcat quarterback has been all that seven games this year. If McGhee has time, CENTER DEFENSIVE TACKLE
and a bag of chips the past two games, even the best secondaries in the FCS can’t 56 Shaun Sampson 6-0/249 So 46 Trevor Pletcher 6-2/240 So
completing 69 percent of his passes for hang with all of MSU’s pass catchers. 61 Alex Terrien 6-4/285 Jr 57 Malone Fiso 6-0/265 Fr
802 yards with five touchdowns and just RIGHT GUARD LEFT END
one interception. Go ahead and say it was against Rushing: This is a big week for MSU in this
61 Alex Terrien 6-4/285 Jr 38 Sam Fenn 6-3/240 Sr
Northern Colorado and Idaho State, the two worst department. Is this the team that ran for an average
teams in the Big Sky Conference. But then go ahead of 220 yards against three very good front sevens 71 Jesse Hoffmann 6-4/286 Sr 90 Pete Rolf 6-4/260 Jr
and look at the actual statistics from the conference. from Drake, Eastern Washington and Sacramento RIGHT TACKLE SAM LINEBACKER
You’ll find Weber State nestled right between State? Or is this the team that hasn’t been able to get 50 Leo Davis 6-4/271 Jr 16 Maurice Neal 6-2/235 Jr
Northern Colorado and Idaho State in terms of total the ground game going ever since getting stymied in 70 Killian Fitzpatrick 6-8/270 Fr 45 Nick Webb 6-4/230 So
defense. Northern Arizona three weeks ago? QUARTERBACK MIKE LINEBACKER
Maybe you don’t believe the Wildcats’ pass defense A big reason for the Bobcats’ stumbles the past two 9 Denarius McGhee 6-0/197 Fr 30 Taylor Sedillo 5-11/235 Sr
is as bad as the Bears or Bengals, but this isn’t the best weeks has been fumbles. They’ve committed nine
12 Cody Kempt 6-2/211 Sr 44 Anthony Morales 6-0/225 Fr
defense the Bobcats have seen this year. Not by a over the past two games. McGhee now has admitted
long shot. In fact, this might be a worse pass defense he has a fumbling problem after committing four in RUNNING BACK ROVER
than the one MSU saw against UNC. Before they had the past three games. And as long as McGhee and 8 Orenzo Davis 5-9/185 Jr 45 Nick Webb 6-4/230 Jr
huge days against Montana State, UNC’s Dylan Orms Orenzo Davis have issues with ball security, teams are 20 C.J. Palmer 6-0/210 Jr 29 Willie Harris 6-0/215 So
and Sacramento State’s Jeff Fleming had their best going to be attacking them. W RECEIVER STRONG SAFETY
passing games against WSU. Eastern Washington’s Teams will also be attacking the now vulnerable 14 Everett Gilbert 5-9/180 So 6 Blake Keller 6-2/215 Jr
Bo Levi Mitchell’s 337-yard, four-touchdown game MSU offensive line, which blocked very poorly against 27 DeSean Thomas 6-1/180 Jr 2 Willie Okwunonu 6-0/195 Fr
against the Wildcats remains his best of the season. Idaho State last week. Thankfully for the Bobcats, this
X RECEIVER CORNERBACK
It’s not that the Wildcats’ secondary is bad. Far from week they face a WSU front seven that has given up
it. The unit has three returning starters and David an average of 6 yards a carry to opponents the past 1 Elvis Akpla 6-1/187 Jr 3 Faron Creighton 6-2/200 Sr
James, a Wyoming transfer who has picked off three two weeks. This is the team to rebound against. 86 Tanner Bleskin 6-3/210 Fr 20 David James 5-11/180 So
passes this year. What the Wildcats don’t have is a Edge: Montana State Z RECEIVER CORNERBACK
82 Julius Lloyd 6-0/184 Sr 20 David James 5-11/180 So
When WEBER STATE has the ball 10 Kruizz Siewing 5-11/182 So 17 Robbie Diamond 6-0/170 Fr
TIGHT END FREE SAFETY
Passing: What passing game? Every Briggs, should keep doing a decent job 81 Kyle Begger 6-2/245 Jr 9 Jordan Brown 6-2/195 Sr
since Ron McBride fell in love all over EDGE closing off the few deep shots WSU will 88 Shane Robison 6-5/250 Jr 25 Tony Epperson 6-4/215 Fr
again with the running game three eventually take. KICKER PUNTER
weeks ago, WSU has passed a mere 15 Jason Cunningham 6-1/162 Jr 37 Josh Kealamakia 6-1/195 Fr
37 times in its past two games. What Rushing: This is what it all comes
pushed McBride back in that direction? down to. Nobody is running the ball bet-
Cameron Higgins’ four-interception ter than Weber State right now, and the Defense Offense
performance at Idaho State. There is one thing MSU seems to be able to do BANDIT LEFT TACKLE
no doubt Higgins, still a Walter Payton defensively week after week is defend 96 Zach Minter 6-2/277 So 72 Caleb Turner 6-4/280 Jr
candidate, can throw the football. He decimated the run. Right now both units are ranked second in 34 Preston Gale 6-2/239 Fr 75 Ced Carrington 6-7/290 So
the Bobcats with a 366-yard, four-touchdown per- the conference, with the Bobcats giving up a paltry TACKLE LEFT GUARD
formance in Bobcat Stadium the last time he was 114.8 yards a game and the Wildcats gaining a 90 Dan Ogden 6-0/270 Sr 73 J.C Oram 6-4/310 Jr
there. But there is also no doubt that the senior hefty 187.9 yards a contest. 63 Zach Logan 6-3/295 Fr 61 Alex Land 6-4/295 Fr
is oftentimes his own worst enemy. On the year, MSU is fairly well-equipped to stop shiftier,
NOSE TACKLE CENTER
Higgins has completed less than 60 percent of his quick backs like Bo Bolen and Josh Booker. The
passes with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. unit proved that earlier in the year when it put 45 Jason D’Alba 6-2/277 Sr 65 Tyson Tiatia 6-2/265 Fr
One big reason could be that he’s lost a sub- the clamps on Taiwan Jones. The back that will 98 Christian Keli’i 6-0/282 So 64 Spencer Rangasan 6-0/280 So
stantial amount of talent around him. Trevyn be most interesting to watch is Vai Tafuna. At 245 END RIGHT GUARD
Smith was a great receiver out of the backfield, pounds, there is not another back like him in the 11 John Laidet 6-5/250 Jr 71 Jiniki Timoteo 6-3/300 Fr
Cody Nakumra was as solid as they come over the entire conference. And the last time the Bobcats 49 Caleb Schreibeis 6-3/245 So 61 Alex Land 6-4/295 Fr
middle and Tim Toone might have been better faced a pair of solid big backs was at Sacramento SAM LINEBACKER RIGHT TACKLE
than both of them. All three All-Americans exited State, where they gave up 262 yards to Bryan 9 Roger Trammell 6-1/230 Jr 70 Tytan Timoteo 6-1/300 So
stage right after last season. One group that hasn’t Hilliard and Sam McCowan.
44 Aleksei Grosulak 5-10/250 Fr 78 Joel Turrubiates 6-8/340 Jr
gone anywhere is Higgins’ offensive line. Those big Depth is what will give the Wildcats the edge
MIKE LINEBACKER QUARTERBACK
eaters are back and because of it, Higgins has only in this matchup. Despite the fact that the Bobcats
been sacked four times this season. are getting healthier on defense, they don’t have 44 Aleksei Grosulak 5-10/250 Fr 12 Cameron Higgins 6-2/215 Sr
Without Caleb Schreibeis for the first half, expect the depth to handle all three of WSU’s backs nor 42 Clay Bignell 6-2/236 Jr 11 Mike Hoke 6-2/220 So
MSU’s pass rush to be even lighter. But MSU will its consistent offensive line. The only question is: WILL LINEBACKER RUNNING BACK
still be getting a great push from Dan Ogden and can Montana State’s offense get the quick scores 23 Jody Owens 6-1/214 So 8 Bo Bolen 5-9/200 So
Zach Minter up the middle. Both are playing their to neutralize this group’s slow and steady perfor- 59 Tanner Ripley 6-1/214 Sr 31 Vai Tafuna 6-1/245 Sr
best football of the year. And on the outside, a mance? BOUNDARY CORNER FULLBACK
couple healthier corners, Darius Jones and Arnold Edge: Weber State
26 Arnold Briggs 5-10/185 Sr 34 Zac Eldridge 6-1/235 Sr
special teams 17 Sean Gords 5-10/185 Fr 33 Derek Cosper 6-1/245 Sr
FREE SAFETY RECEIVER
Kicking & punting: How will Jason expect McBride to trot McClain out there if
Cunningham respond to a little adver- EDGE the Wildcats are outside the MSU 25. 22 Michael Rider 5-11/196 Sr 1 Mike Phillips 6-1/195 Sr
sity? History tells us pretty well. After 32 Anthony Cosme-Peko 5-11/209 Sr 80 Matt Miller 5-10/185 Jr
what he calls the worst game of his ca- Returns & coverage: Jordan Brown ROVER RECEIVER
reer, when he went 1-for-3 on field goal has been one of the conference’s most 7 Jordan Craney 6-1/205 Sr 4 Joe Collins 6-3/195 Sr
attempts against Eastern Washington dangerous punt returners, averaging 5 Joel Fuller 6-0/200 So 84 Austin Raught 6-2/200 Jr
back in 2008, he was 7 of 8 to finish the 12.4 yards a return. But last week, Rory
FIELD CORNER TIGHT END
season. Last weekend, he missed two Perez neutralized the conference’s most
field goals in one game for the first time dangerous returner, Tavoy Moore, with his 13 Darius Jones 5-10/167 So 13 Brian Jankowski 6-4/250 So
since that game. But history tells us he will still prob- high hangers. There’s no reason to expect he can’t 24 James Andrews 6-1/187 Jr 91 Kevin Halfhill 6-7/270 Sr
ably finish strong. Shaun McClain has been even do the same this week. Although MSU’s struggles PUNTER KICKER
more consistent for WSU, missing just one of 13 with getting the ball to Perez have been a little 18 Rory Perez 6-2/180 Fr 49 Shaun McClain 5-9/142 Jr
field goal attempts this season. But none of those troubling, MSU has a big edge in this category.
attempts have been longer than 39 yards, so don’t Edge: Montana State
INTANGIBLES
Third downs will be huge in this victory, but with the two best third- NEW
EDGE 2011
game. Every one Montana State gives down teams in the conference squaring
up will allow Weber to chew the clock off, whoever wins the battle today will
down even further. Every one Weber likely have won the war. The Bobcats
State gives up will mean MSU has yet (46.5 percent success rate) have a slight
another shot to hit that big play that advantage over Wildcats (43.9) on the
could put the game out of reach. It season. Plus, they’re playing at home.
seems like a pretty obvious key to Edge: Montana State

overall LOWEST UP FRONT PRICED DEALER IN THE U.S.,

The Bobcats haven’t started a game off well in their GUARANTEED
last four tries. As good a team as they are, they’re due.
And if MSU gets off to that fast start, the Wildcats
ball-controlling offense will be far less effective. The
Wildcats are a team playing with their backs to the
wall so they’ll come out firing. But playing their last
home game of the season and knowing full well what

27 24
it’s like to lose control your own destiny down the
stretch, the Bobcats will have plenty of motivation, as
well. They take another close one.

Analysis by WILL C. HOLDEN of the Chronicle

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Saturday, November 6, 2010 bozeman daily chronicle | 5

BOBCAT GAME DAY
Weber State at Montana State
12:05 p.m. Bobcat Stadium

big sky conference

Idaho State meets Georgia for a payday big sk y notes

TITLE TALK: Eastern
Washington and Montana
team located 2,000 miles not erase any of the hurt clear that his preference neighboring state, it could State each enter the final
By SETH EMERSON away, doesn’t exactly bring feelings from the loss to for non-BCS conference help with turnout. Instead, three weeks of the season
McClatchy Newspapers a lot of name recognition. Florida. opponents is proximity. the program will be count- with one conference loss.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs “I guess the only thing “I think that would ing on Bulldogs fans to Eastern Washington is
ATHENS, Ga. — As of have a date with No. 2 that would make us feel be the first priority . . . a make the trek for a 12:30 6-1 in league while Mon-
Tuesday afternoon, there Auburn a week later. And better about that game is regional team,” McGarity p.m. EDT game. tana State is 5-1.
were about 100 tickets left Idaho State is the team beating No. 1 Auburn,” said. “Which may allow Richt said he would EWU has a bye this
for Georgia’s game on Sat- that has to fly across the Commings said. “We visiting fans to attend, speak to his players later week before closing
urday against Idaho State. country and back for es- don’t ever want to lose to and people may be more this week about the recent with back-to-back home
It figures to be the 41st sentially just a paycheck. Florida.” familiar with a regional spate of upsets by FCS games against Southern
straight sellout at Sanford So fans, coaches and The matchup with opponent.” teams. (Virginia Tech was Utah and Idaho State.
Stadium, but every seat ac- even players on both sides Idaho State was scheduled Georgia head coach felled by James Madison EWU can clinch at least
tually being filled might be can be forgiven for won- by the previous athletics Mark Richt put it another and Mississippi by Jack- a share of the regular-
a bigger upset than Idaho dering: What’s the point of director, Damon Evans, as way. sonville State.) season title if Weber
State winning the game. this game? part of his effort to brand “We feel like if we can What he probably won’t State beats Montana State
There are a couple “I guess we could use Georgia nationally. Next get in the SEC champion- tell them is that Idaho today. Montana State has
reasons for that: Georgia’s this game as a momentum year, New Mexico State is ship game, that spreads State is 1-7 and at the conference games against
losing record and loss to game, I guess,” Georgia visiting on Nov. 5. the brand enough,” Richt bottom of the Big Sky Weber State and Montana
Florida has sucked some cornerback Sanders Com- But Evans’ replace- said. “What more do you Conference. By compari- (Nov. 20) remaining.
air out of the fan base. But mings said. ment, Greg McGarity, has need?” son, Jacksonville State is If MSU and Eastern
Idaho State, an Football And no, getting a win already canceled a series If Saturday’s opponent unbeaten and James Madi- Washington both finish
Championship Subdivison against any team would with Oregon, and he made were from Georgia, or a son is 4-4. 7-1 in league, the Bobcats
would earn the automatic
bid to the playoffs thanks
to its 30-7 win over
Eastern.
Rider/from 1 himself from mentioning one in particular.
The 5-foot-11, 196-pound Rider had been sent
There have been times through his five-year
Bobcat career where Rider has day-dreamed Eastern Washington
and Montana State are
on a blitz and Grosulak said he could almost about being a linebacker, where he feels his
There’s something else Rider got from his fa- see the 6-foot-2, 276-pound David Tyler’s eyes skills might have been better-suited. He played the only teams that could
ther, Craig Rider: the ability to destroy people. light up. the position in MSU’s nickel packages before win an outright confer-
As an offensive guard for Heisman-winner Grosulak snickered: the Idaho State guard, his start last Saturday. ence championship.
Earl Campbell at the University of Texas, Craig a freshman who had hardly been able to touch It’s water under the bridge now, though. He’s Montana’s hopes for a
made a career out of destroying would-be Bobcat defensive tackle Zach Minter on his a safety and he’s a pretty dang good one. 13th straight conference
tacklers. way to six tackles and 2.5 sacks, “finally got a title took a huge blow last
That’s something no one can dispute. Cer-
Now his son is nearing the end of a career matchup he liked.” Saturday with its 30-21
tainly not Weber State running backs Trevyn loss at Weber State.
marked by shooting past would-be blockers to Rider got destroyed, got up, adjusted his Smith or Bo Bolen.
destroy running backs and wide receivers. helmet, got back in the defensive huddle and Montana, which also
prepared to do it all over again. That might be The last time the Bobcats faced the Wild- has a bye this week, has
Rider disputes that statement, though. At
the trait his teammates love the most. cats, Rider single-handedly grounded the home games against
least part of it.
“My career isn’t almost over,” he said. “We’ve “He’s relentless,” Grosulak said. “If you told All-American Smith at the goal line with the North Dakota and Mon-
got a lot more games left.” him to play defensive end, he would. And he’d clock winding down and MSU up five. One tana State remaining.
Extending his career into the playoffs would probably dominate there eventually.” play later, Rider was part of gang that stuffed At 5-2 in league,
likely mean that MSU found a way to win one One of two nearly unanimous team captain Bolen, this year’s WSU starter, behind the line Montana needs to beat
or both of its remaining regular season games. selections, Rider isn’t afraid to call his team- of scrimmage to end the game. Montana State, and see
Losing would mean more Rider tears. He mates out, either — nor his coaches for that “He came out of nowhere,” Smith had said Idaho State upset Eastern
says he has cried after every loss in his football matter. of Rider, who nabbed the Wildcat’s foot as he Washington on the final
career. A still frame at Washington State this Given a forum to express his opinion for the went airborne expecting to land in the end weekend of the regular
year captured one occasion. first time since secondary coach Noah Joseph zone. “I can’t believe he stopped me.” season to win at least a
Rider isn’t afraid to own up to it. If passion said he used to beat himself in the head during Believe it, Rob Ash said. Rider executes the share of the conference
is a girly trait, then consider Rider the girliest his freshmen and sophomore seasons after open field tackle, which he called “one of the title.
Bobcat of all. making mistakes, Rider wanted to make one most difficult plays in football,” as well as any The last time Montana
“I wear my emotions on my sleeve and it’s thing clear. player the MSU head coach has ever seen. didn’t win at least a share
something I’m proud of,” Rider said. “Foot- “I never hit myself in the head,” he said with “He is the heart and soul of this football was 1997, when Eastern
ball means a lot to me. I’m emotional about it as much good nature as Grosulak displayed team,” Ash said. “He puts everything in his be- Washington claimed the
because it’s important to me.” when he compared his senior captain to a ing into those hits. I can’t tell you how difficult crown outright. Weber
Rider cares so much, in fact, that he’s willing primate. “He made it sound like I was beating those plays are and how inspirational they are State still has a chance to
to take a good-natured ribbing every once my head against walls and stuff. That never to a team.” claim at least a share of
and a while, especially after a win. That abil- happened.” When Rider’s Bobcat career finally does the league title.
ity came in handy after his first-ever start at But Rider did say he’s hard on himself. The 4-2 Wildcats must
draw to a close, those hits will likely be his
linebacker last week during a 23-20 win over You don’t go from walk-on to two-year all- beat Montana State and
Idaho State. conference starter without doing so. And you legacy. And if he were ever to hear a youngster Northern Arizona and
Let’s just say he played to mixed reviews. also don’t make it all the way down that path say as much, it just might bring another tear to have Eastern Washington
“I thought Rider was absolutely outstand- without making a few mistakes along the way. his eye. lose to Idaho State. East-
ing,” his secondary coach Justin Gaines said. Especially not while playing defensive back, “That’s been a goal of mine,” Rider said. “I’ve ern Washington is 3-0 at
“He was all over the field making plays. one of the most exposed positions on the field. been given an opportunity to impact kids, to home this season. Idaho
Aleksei Grosulak, an everyday linebacker “I don’t care what people say, there’s nothing try and teach them that the game of football State, which could stand
who started as well, didn’t dispute Gaines’ harder in any sport than playing man cover- isn’t everything, but it means a lot to me and it in the way of Eastern
statement, but he added that Rider looked like age against a receiver,” Rider said. “You still should mean a lot to them. Washington’s champion-
“a spider monkey” while doing it. don’t see very many pros that can do it each “So man, if I ever heard a kid say something ships hopes, enters this
Out of all the plays Rider made that MSU and every down. It’s something I’ve definitely like that, it’d be pretty special.” weekend’s game at Geor-
reviewed on tape, Grosulak couldn’t help struggled with at times.” Here’s to hoping he does. gia with a 25-game road
losing streak.
Idaho State, however,
has won its final game
each of the last two
Dumas/from 1 You may see him flat on his
back — surrounded by the train- seasons.
ing staff — when that ankle injury
When football ends, Ogden still flares up, but it won’t be long LUMBERJACKS GET
has three semesters left to fulfill before he’s running back to the STUNG: For the first time
his degree in elementary educa- huddle. since moving to the FCS
tion with a minor in reading. And if there’s a big play, expect level in 1996, Sacramento
But football won’t really end. He to see his right arm high in the State has beaten two
plans to return to Kalispell soon air, pulling down on an imaginary ranked teams in the same
and become a reading teacher cord. It’s the “Train Whistle,” as season.
(his mother, Lynne, is a teacher in Bobcat fans know full well. The The Hornets defeated
Kalispell) and a football coach at gesture is a holdover from the No. 25 Northern Arizona
his alma mater. Fletcher- and Papich-dominated 40-10 in Flagstaff last
He says it like it’s already a done defenses of the past. week.
deal. Montana State has given up an Earlier this season, the
“I’m never going to get away unusually high amount of points Hornets beat then-No. 21
from football,” he says. “I’m going this year, but Ogden is doing his Weber State.
to be around it for the rest of my best to keep his team barreling Sacramento State
life. CHRONICLE FILE PHOTO down the track. cruised to a 34-0 halftime
“I’ve always had a passion for Dan Ogden celebrates his interception return for a touchdown in September of “We were flat there for a few lead on the Lumberjacks.
teaching and helping out. I have a 2007 against Dixie State. Ogden plays in his final home game Saturday. weeks,” he says. “It’s just a way Quarterback Jeff Flem-
softness in my heart for kids.” to keep that train going. I’m the ing threw for 333 yards
If Ogden begins his coaching Ben Ogden is currently a junior at the same time, I’m going to do train guy out there, I guess. The and three second-quarter
duties within the next two years, defensive end for the Wolfpack my coaching duties.” conductor.” touchdowns.
he may be on the opposite sideline and freshman Todd Ogden is a Odgen still has some football of It may not be long before he is The Hornet defense
from his younger brothers. Kal- quarterback. his own to play. Despite his aches known as “Teacher.” forced four fumbles and
ispell now has two high schools “If I get to coach against my and pains, he’s started the last Tim Dumas can be reached at held Northern Arizona
after the new Glacier High was little brothers, I’m going to root 24 games, the most by a Bobcat tdumas@dailychronicle.com and to 166 yards of total of-
completed in 2007. for them,” Dan Ogden said. “But defensive player. 582-2651. fense.

Big SkY
CONFERENCE
Standings
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Montana 5-2 6-3
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Saturday’s Games
Weber at MSU, 12:05 p.m.
Idaho St. at Georgia, 10:35 a.m.
Expertise matters
NAU at N. Colo., 1:35 p.m.
Port St. at Sac St., 3:05 p.m. David Coletta Amy Pakula Jeff Moore Jason Lunden
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4 | Saturday, Novembe r 6, 2010 bozeman daily chronicle

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bozeman daily chronicle Saturday, November 6, 2010 | 3

2010 MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY

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2 | bozeman daily chronicle
BOBCAT GAME DAY
Weber State at Montana State
12:05 p.m. Bobcat Stadium
Sideline Bolen looks for redemption vs. Bobcats
Briefing
Records Montana State
Montana State 7-2, 5-1 Big Sky
Weber State 5-3, 4-2
once recruited
Weber back
Series
48th meeting, MSU leads 26-20-1
By WILL C. HOLDEN
Weather forecast Chronicle Sports Writer
Partly cloudy, High 56
Bo Bolen wasn’t even sup-
Crowd posed to be here.
Two years after Weber State
About 15,000 expected recruited him away from Mon-
TV tana State, Bolen had planned
on leaving school and football
ABC 28 (Chris Byers, behind for the 2010 and 2011
Mike Callaghan, AJ Donatoni) seasons.
One possible reason was a
Radio two-year LDS mission. The real
KXLB-FM (100.7), Jeff Lasky, reason very few know about is
his shoulder.
Dan Davies, Tyler Wiltgen “I tore it in five spots last
Coaches season, which was something we
tried to keep on the down low,”
Bolen said. “I got surgery in
January and was in therapy until
late July.”
Bolen had planned on leaving
for his mission in August. That’s
when fate and his capacity to
heal intervened.
“For some crazy reason,” Bo-
ROB  RON len said, his mission was delayed
ASH McBRIDE until December and in early
MSU, 4th year August doctors had cleared him
WSU, 6th year
31st year overall 19th year overall to play.
27-16 at MSU 28-17 at WSU So when fall camp rolled
203-115-5 overall 116-80 overall around, Bolen was back in pads.
But coming off a year where he
Schedules felt like he was competing with
Weber State All-American Trevyn Smith
every day in practice, his legs felt
20 @ Boston College 38  like Jell-o.
50 No. Colorado 47 “I didn’t really train in the off-
17 @ Sacramento St. 24 season, and it was the first time I
20 UC Davis 9 haven’t done that since I started
playing football,” Bolen said. “I
24 E. Washington 35 felt a little bit unprepared.”
16 @ Idaho St. 13 As Bolen struggled, his team
44 Portland St. 41 struggled with him. Over the
first five games of the season, the
30 Montana 21
Wildcats went 2-3 with their only
Today @ Montana St. 12:05 p.m. two wins coming over 2-7 North-
11/13 @ No. Arizona 3 p.m. ern Colorado — in quadruple
11/20 @ Texas Tech TBA overtime — and 3-5 UC Davis.
Ball security was one factor.
The Wildcats were minus-9 in
Montana State the turnover margin depart-
59 Fort Lewis 10  ment. Another big reason was
22 @ Wash. St. 23 that quarterback Cameron Hig-
gins was looking to his left and
48 Drake  21 his right and noticing WSU was
30 Eastern Washington 7 without six All-Americans.
64 @ Sacramento St. 61
44 Portland St. 31
7 @ Northern Arizona 34
37
23
Today
Northern Colo.
@ Idaho St.
Weber St.
35
20
12:05 p.m.
Injuries are commonplace, elementary to Ogden
11/20 @ Montana 12:05 p.m. Dan Ogden has slowed some-
what since barreling — like a
train — down the sideline three
Players to watch years ago.
He’s only five pounds heavier,
WEBER STATE: RB Bo Bolen is
so it’s no due to added girth. It’s
third in the Big Sky in all-purpose those injuries.
yards. There’s no official stat, but
MONTANA STATE: QB Denarius Ogden must lead the team in
times helped off the field.
McGhee must help limit turnovers in This year, it’s the Montana
this key contest. State senior’s left ankle. In the
past, it’s been the other ankle,
Injury report or his neck, or his shoulder. In
fact, when he showed up for his
Montana State interview on Tuesday for this
OUT: DE Brad Smith (shoulder), column, I was stunned that the
Ben Tauanuu (leg). only blemish on his body was a
black and blue thumb nail.
DOUBTFUL: LB Dustin O’Connell He is usually outfitted with an
(collar bone). ankle brace, and a roll of tape
Bo Bolen was planning on taking an LDS mission this season.
A year after having more than
any other team in the Football
Championship Subdivision, the
Wildcats were down to just one:
Higgins.
And without Smith and fellow
All-Americans Tim Toone and
Cody Nakamura lining up as
eligible receivers, Higgins wasn’t
exactly playing like an All-
American himself.
“All the rest of those guys
made me look good,” Hig-
gins said. “I don’t want to say
anything bad about my receivers
this year, but it was definitely
noticeable not having Tim or
Cody out there. It took us a
while to adapt.”
As the lone returning star,
Higgins said he started forc-
ing plays that he wouldn’t have
otherwise attempted — trying to
thread the ball into double cov-
erage, throwing ill-advised deep
passes, throwing on the run and
across his body.
“Things I never would have
Tim
Dumas
Chronicle
Sports Editor
halfway up his knee. “White
cowboy boots,” as he calls them.
He’s never had surgery, “just a lot
of rehab.” He says the morning
after games are the worst when it
comes to pain. “You wake up and
say, ‘what happened? Who beat
me up with a bat?”’
Somehow, Ogden has only
missed two games during his
Saturday, november 6, 2010
COURTESY WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY
done before,” Higgins said.
After the senior completed
less than 50 percent of his passes
for 200 yards, no touchdowns
and four interception as the
Wildcats barely snuck out a 16-
13 win over lowly Idaho State,
Ron McBride had seen enough.
The WSU head coach looked
to correct his team’s problems by
doing something he never does
— calling Higgins into his office.
“Sometimes I’m a little too
hard on quarterbacks, so I usual-
ly avoid getting them in one-on-
one situations” McBride said.
Higgins said McBride sat
him down and explained the
team needed him to be a game
manager more than playmaker
as WSU tried to find its footing.
Higgins embraced it and the
Wildcats have taken off.
Averaging nearly 60 runs a
game the past two weeks, WSU
is 2-0 with victories over surging
Portland State and ninth-ranked
Montana.
career. Credit MSU’s Rob Higgs
and his training staff for that.
Ogden oftentimes misses
practice early in the week, but
his No. 90 is rarely missing
from Montana State’s defensive
huddle.
“I’m really competitive,” he
said. “I just want to be out there.
It’s what keeps you going.”
Ogden has been “going” since
he first put on a Bobcat uniform.
Like head coach Rob Ash, his
first game was in front of 79,000
fans at Texas A&M in 2007. Two
weeks later, in his first home
game, Ogden intercepted a pass
and ran 62 yards for a touch-
down, the final points in a 61-7
victory over Dixie State.
The end zone wasn’t an unfa-
THE HIGGINS WATCH
Weber State quarterback
Cameron Higgins is still look-
ing to become the Big Sky’s
all-time leader in touchdown
passes. He has not thrown
a scoring pass since Oct. 2
when he tossed a 10-yard
strike to Joel Hancock with
1:15 left in the game.
Higgins is tied with Eastern
Washington’s Matt Nichols
and Montana’s Dave Dick-
enson with 96 touchdown
passes.
Higgins is also third in
career passing yards with
11,692.
He needs 515 more to
overtake Jamie Martin as
Weber State’s career leader.
To become the Big Sky’s
career leader, Higgins needs
924 more yards over his final
three regular season games.
And having scored 44 and 30
points, the Wildcats are looking
as just as threatening offensively
as they were when Higgins was
passing for 275 yards a game in
2009.
Higgins couldn’t be happier.
But the player who’s really glow-
ing is Bolen. He’s rushed for 238
yards the past two games, which
is just a smidgen behind team-
mate Vai Tafuna’s 277.
“It’s a running back’s dream,”
Bolen said.
As for today, Bolen hopes he
can go to work erasing one of
2009’s nightmares. Getting a
much rarer carry a season ago
to spell Smith against Montana
State, Bolen was stopped four
yards short of the goal line on
fourth down as the Bobcats pre-
served a 26-21 win in Ogden.
Seeing as how it came against
a team that once recruited him
but decided not to offer him a
scholarship, Bolen said he hasn’t
forgotten the play.
Feeling in as good of shape as
he has all season, the sophomore
is ready to atone.
“A few times when my mind
drifts in practice, it drifts back
to that play,” Bolen said. “It just
motivates me even more.”
Will Holden can be reached at
wholden@dailychronicle.com and
582-2690.
miliar place: Ogden scored 11
touchdowns as a senior fullback
at Flathead High in Kalispell. As
a Bobcat, he had become a full-
time defensive player, and here
he was scoring a touchdown. It
was a feat defensive linemates
Aaron Papich and Dane Fletcher
never achieved in their distin-
guished college careers.
“They were pretty mad about
the whole thing,” Ogden said
with a laugh. “I come in my first
home game and get an intercep-
tion returned for a touchdown.”
Three-plus years later, he is
preparing for his final regular
season home game.
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